IN MEMORIAM: Richard Gohde, 72;

Dies One Week After Brother Kim

MILFORD – Richard Earl Gohde, 72, Tansey Hill Road, Milford, who retired from Bassett Hospital after 25 years as a painter there, passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 7, 2016, at Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta.

His passing occurred less than a week after that of his brother, former Middlefield Fire Chief Kim Gohde, who suffered a heart attack at the Otsego County Fair.

Richard was born Aug. 17, 1943, at Bassett Hospital, a son of Earl and Dorothy (Butler) Gohde.

Raised on the family farm in Middlefield he graduated from Cherry Valley High School with the Class of 1961.  He then attended SUNY Cobleskill where he earned an associate’s degree in animal husbandry.

After working for a brief time in Greene, he returned to the Cooperstown area and became head of the Clark Estates sheep farm.  He then joined Bassett Hospital.

In his leisure he enjoyed reading, especially books about cowboys.

On Aug. 19, 1999, he married Laura M. Hitchcock in a ceremony at the Middlefield home of Justice of the Peace Raymond E. Burr, Sr.

In addition to his wife, Laura, Richard is survived by a daughter, Melissa Moore; a son,  Gordon Sparaco; a brother, Doug Gohde (Anne); a sister, Linda Nitz (Richard); a sister-in-law, Kathryn Thayer Gohde; as well as several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his brother, Kim, who died Aug. 1, 2016.

A funeral service is at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Ronald Fralick, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cherry Valley, officiating.  The service of committal and burial will follow in Middlefield Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Richard’s family suggests that donations in his memory be directed to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.